Member Spotlight: Wrangletown Cider
Wrangletown opened 2 years ago in the up-and-coming Creamery District in Arcata. The facility houses their production and a tasting room where they regularly have live music. They are located at 1350 9th St, Arcata and they are open Friday 3–8PM, Saturday 1–8PM, and Sunday 12–5PM.
The name Wrangletown comes from the original name for Freshwater. In its heyday, this small logging community situated between Eureka and Arcata was home to around 300 residents and an astonishing 7 saloons. As the legend goes, two women who lived in the town were known for their often violent disagreements and a passing stagecoach driver declared that the town should be called Wrangletown.
Today we're catching up with owner Pat Knittel.
How did you get started?
After working in the wine industry for 15 years in Sonoma and Napa, I decided to move back to my hometown to begin to produce Cider. I knew that there were many local orchards and a long, interesting history of apple farming in Humboldt County. I rented a space in the creamery district which was modified for Wrangletown's production needs. Everything fell together in a way which was really remarkable. I did a Kickstarter campaign and with that and the help of family was able to get started. I'm now in my second year and things are going well.
Where can we find your products?
Locally the ciders can be found at Wildberries, Northcoast Co-op, Eureka Natural Foods, Libation in Arcata, local Safeway stores, Beverage Plus in Fortuna, Myrtlewood Liquors, Siren's Song Tavern, Bittersweet, Three Corner's Market, Murphy's Market, The Boardroom, Chatauqua Natural Foods, River Song Natural Foods, SALT Fish House, Six River's Brewery and The Emerald Forrest in Trinidad.
Why Humboldt?
Starting a business in a community that strongly supports local products was a huge draw for me. I missed the cooler, coastal weather after living in the North Bay for quite a few years and I honestly was ready to not commute in heavy traffic anymore. I had kept up on the interesting local businesses that had really taken off from their beginnings in Humboldt and felt that it would be a wonderful environment for starting my business. I wanted to feature local orchards and found several that now have dedicated labels to honor them. I love featuring the farmers and the place the apples are grown.
Anything else you would like to include?
It's great to be back in this community. Also, I produce wine as well under my North Story Wines label.